NBA Rumors: Russell Westbrook Succeeds In Jahlil Okafor Trade; Steven Adams, Enes Kanter Welcome Sixers Star

By Mitch de Leon
Jahlil Okafor
The Philadelphia 76ers eye Jahlil Okafor as one of the key players this NBA season. Wikimedia Commons/TonyTheTiger

The Oklahoma City Thunder are on the verge of rebuilding their squad in response to the "super team" of the Golden State Warriors. With their beloved hero Kevin Durant jumping ship and signing with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, the Steven Adams squad is left with only Russell Westbrook to carry the group next season. However, it looks like reinforcements are on their way as a Jahlil Okafor trade is said to have been completed recently.

One of the main focuses of the former Kevin Durant squad is to create a group that can support Russell Westbrook. That is, the Oklahoma City Thunder would need to acquire players who can match the intensity and pace of the squad's leader in the hardwood court. Will Jahlil Okafor be up for the challenge?

ALSO READ: OKC Russell Westbrook Wants Jeremy Lin Trade; Steven Adams, Enes Kanter Need Linsanity

"The first thing about Russell, being around him, is he wants to win at the highest level," shared Billy Donovan of the NBA All-Star player. The head coach added, "I think the second thing about him is amazing, being around him he's extremely bright and he's smart and he's got a great feel. And the third thing is he's very, very well prepared. I think a lot of times what people can look to or point to is when you have Serge [Ibaka] leaving and obviously Kevin leaving is this idea that maybe Russell now takes over more, and I think that he really understands that he's got to make everybody around him better."

With the Jahlil Okafor trade rumors going around since the beginning of the offseason, fans of the Philadelphia 76ers feel that the Oklahoma City Thunder might be the best destination for the second-year NBA star. With Russell Westbrook as his mentor, the Duke alum could harness his potential especially since he could relate to the underdog situation of the Steven Adams team. Will this NBA trade push through?

Earlier this year, the Philadelphia 76ers finally acknowledged that the presence of Jahlil Okafor, Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid in the roster no longer make the lineup effective. Among the three talented centers, however, the Jahlil Okafor trade rumors are the most prevalent across the league. Aside from the OKC, teams like the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat have also been reportedly asking for the young star.

ALSO READ: Kevin Durant Recruits Jahlil Okafor To Golden State Warriors; Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson Campaign For 76ers Star

At this point, though, the entry of Jahlil Okafor to the Oklahoma City Thunder roster remains an NBA trade rumor. No official comment has been released by any of the parties concerned. However, fans of the Sixers star feel that the Russell Westbrook team might just be what Jahlil Okafor needs to finally reach his potential in the NBA.

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